Texans have earned respect, Foster says; Mercilus impresses Phillips

Running back Arian Foster may have a huge new contract, but he promises he’s the same hard-working guy he was the previous three seasons when he emerged as one of the league’s best backs.

Asked what he can improve on, he replied: “Everything. Every single thing. Name it. I can get better at it.”

Foster also said the Texans will be under the gun more this season than in the past because they reached the playoffs. They won’t sneak up on anyone.

“I think we’re at that point where we have a respect level around the league,” he said. “What (head coach Gary Kubiak) always talks about is that you have to earn your keep every single day in this league, not just on Sundays. You can’t pay too much attention to that because when you’re anywhere near the top it’s easy to go right back to the bottom.”

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Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has already been impressed by top draft choice Whitney Mercilus, who is expected to be part of the pass-rushing rotation at outside linebacker.

“I think it’s not too big for Whit,” Phillips said. “That’s the first thing you look for in rookies. Sometimes they get overrun. He hasn’t had that problem. He rushed real well today, and that’s what we’re looking for him to do in the defense, and he had a good day rushing the passer.”